In Wyoming, we share the roads with some of the most iconic wildlife in the West—elk, pronghorn, mule deer, moose, and so many more. While these animals make Wyoming such a special place to call home, they also face a very real danger: collisions with vehicles. Each year, thousands of animals are lost on our roadways, causing not only heartbreaking losses for wildlife but also costly and dangerous accidents for drivers.
Recognizing the need for a long-term funding solution, the Wyoming Legislature passed House Bill 39 in 2018, creating the state’s first-ever Wildlife Conservation License Plate. Wyoming Wildlife Federation’s own Government Affairs Director, Jess Johnson, played a key role in advancing this legislation. Her leadership and dedication helped ensure that wildlife conservation funding became a reality, giving all Wyoming residents a way to contribute directly to safer roads for both people and wildlife.
What the Plates Do
Funds raised through Wildlife Conservation Plate sales go directly to projects that reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions across Wyoming. These efforts include building wildlife crossings, installing fencing to guide animals safely under or over highways, and improving road signage to alert drivers of high-risk areas. Every plate purchased helps save animals’ lives while making Wyoming’s roads safer for families.
Easier Than Ever to Get Yours
When the program first launched, drivers had to apply online to purchase a Wildlife Conservation plate. Now, the process is even simpler: you can request a Wildlife Conservation Plate directly through your county office when you register your vehicle. That means supporting wildlife conservation is as easy as renewing your tags.
Scenario #1 - First Issuance in 2026
When you visit your Treasurer's Office you can apply for the wildlife conservation plate. In addition to your normal registration fees, you will be required to pay the initial $150 wildlife conservation fee along with the $30 specialty plate fee. The Treasurer will issue you the next available plate directly from their current stock.
Scenario #2 - Already Registered with a 2026 Expiration Date
If you're already registered with a 2026 expiration date, you can fill out the application and exchange your existing plates for the wildlife conservation plate. You'll need to surrender your current plates and pay the initial $150 wildlife conservation fee along with the $30 specialty plate fee. The Treasurer will issue you the next available plate from their stock, and these new plates will expire in the same month as your previous plates.
Additionally, if you purchase a new or used vehicle in 2026 and currently have a standard plate from your trade-in, you can apply for and obtain the new wildlife conservation plate. You'll pay the $150 wildlife conservation fee and $30 specialty plate fee, surrender your standard plate, and transfer any applicable registration credit to your new wildlife conservation plate.
Applications are available online or at your local Treasurer's Office.
A Small Choice, a Big Impact
Choosing a Wildlife Conservation Plate is more than just picking a design—it’s a commitment to protecting the wildlife and landscapes that define Wyoming. Every plate on the road represents someone who values the incredible migration corridors, sagebrush seas, and mountain ranges that our wildlife call home.
If you’re renewing your registration soon, consider making the switch. Together, we can keep Wyoming’s roads safer and our wildlife populations thriving for generations to come.